Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Episode: What would a two-state solution look like for Israel-Palestine?
Release Date: August 13, 2025

Introduction

In this bonus Q&A episode of The Ex Files, renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour and her ex-husband Jamie Rubin delve into pressing global issues, drawing from their extensive experience in international affairs and journalism. The episode addresses a range of topics, from personal career reflections to the intricate dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Host Reflections: Roles and Responsibilities

Melanie's Question [00:40]: Melanie inquires whether Christiane and Jamie ever wished to swap their high-profile international roles and how they might approach each other's jobs differently.

Christiane Amanpour [01:10]:
"I would work my best to try to see how to explain the dilemmas of government a little bit more starkly, but explain the successes a little bit more dramatically and perhaps a little bit more often."
Christiane emphasizes the media's tendency to focus on negative news, suggesting that highlighting positive developments could foster a more balanced global perspective.

Jamie Rubin [02:07]:
"Bad is clickbait. Good is boring... I really love to see people happy, especially people who are coming out of just the most horrendous situations."
Jamie echoes Christiane's sentiments, highlighting his commitment to reporting on peace accords and human stories that showcase resilience and hope.

Citizen Participation: Ending the War in Gaza

Jilly's Question [06:26]: Jilly asks what concerned U.S. or first-world citizens can do to help end the war in Gaza.

Jamie Rubin [06:40]:
"Citizen participation actually is very, very important. ... we need more citizen involvement in standing up for the rights of ordinary people, whether in Israel or in the Palestinian territories."
Jamie advocates for increased public activism, drawing parallels to historical movements like those against apartheid in South Africa. He emphasizes the power of images and social media in influencing political actions.

Christiane Amanpour [08:07]:
"Citizens can pressure leaders through various means—friends, money, whatever it takes—to influence policies that prevent humanitarian crises like the starvation in Gaza."
Christiane suggests practical avenues for citizens to exert pressure on political leaders to change detrimental policies affecting Gaza.

Debate on Anti-Semitism and University Policies

Paul's Follow-Up [09:08]: Paul raises concerns about U.S. universities allegedly defining any criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism.

Christiane Amanpour [10:00]:
"The idea that you can't criticize Israel without being called an anti-Semite is abhorrent to me... That's not anti-Semitism, that's just caring about the people, the Palestinians."
Christiane challenges the conflation of legitimate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, advocating for open discourse and the right to protest against Israeli policies.

Jamie Rubin [11:55]:
"It's a culture war... It's having a very bad effect on America's preeminent position in education around the world."
Jamie frames the issue as part of a broader cultural conflict aimed at defunding elite institutions under the guise of combating anti-Semitism, thereby undermining academic excellence.

Defining a Two-State Solution for Israel-Palestine

Jacob's Question [13:28]: Jacob seeks insights into the potential framework of a two-state solution based on past negotiations.

Christiane Amanpour [13:43]:
"It will resemble very, very closely what Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Ehud Barak, and Yasser Arafat discussed at Camp David in the year 2000... It will have a capital in Jerusalem and part of Jerusalem would be a capital of the Palestinian state."
Christiane outlines a solution mirroring the Camp David proposals, emphasizing territorial swaps, a demilitarized Palestinian state, and shared capitals.

Jamie Rubin [15:36]:
"Israeli governments backed by the United States kept building settlements... the Palestinians have always been the second class citizens in all of this."
Jamie critiques the persistent settlement expansions by Israel, which have historically undermined negotiation efforts and placed Palestinians at a disadvantage in peace talks.

Christiane Amanpour [19:06]:
"We're going to need three people, an American president, an Israeli leader, and a new Palestinian leader. And then I still think it could happen."
Christiane highlights the necessity of leadership from key stakeholders to breathe new life into the peace process.

Jamie Rubin [19:19]:
"FW De Klerk was the powerful party who agreed to start negotiations. That's what I mean."
Jamie draws a parallel with South Africa's transition, emphasizing the role of influential leaders in initiating meaningful negotiations.

Journalism and Diplomacy in the Information Age

Joshua and Caitlin's Questions [20:53]: They inquire about forgotten diplomatic lessons and the evolving relationship between journalism and diplomacy amidst the current information war.

Christiane Amanpour [21:00]:
"Negotiating a successful peace agreement requires the power of educating the populace... the new wave of diplomacy and foreign affairs is to put all those pieces together."
Christiane underscores the multifaceted nature of modern diplomacy, which now intertwines with information dissemination and public education.

Jamie Rubin [24:21]:
"Citizen journalism and social media are an added layer, but they can't take over from the effect of traditional foreign correspondence."
Jamie acknowledges the role of social media and citizen journalism in modern reporting but reaffirms the enduring importance of professional journalism for accurate and accountable information.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive Q&A session, Christiane Amanpour and Jamie Rubin tackle complex global issues with depth and expertise. They explore the intricacies of media's role in shaping public perception, the importance of citizen activism in conflict resolution, and the delicate balance required in diplomatic negotiations. Their insightful dialogue offers listeners a nuanced understanding of the challenges and potential pathways toward resolving one of the world's most enduring conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• "Bad is clickbait. Good is boring." — Jamie Rubin [02:07]
• "That's not anti-Semitism, that's just caring about the people, the Palestinians." — Christiane Amanpour [10:00]
• "Negotiating a successful peace agreement requires the power of educating the populace." — Christiane Amanpour [21:00]